Mahoning County Bar Association v. Cochran

Summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio adopts findings that attorney Scott Robert Cochran violated professional-conduct rules by making incomplete and misleading statements to a federal tribunal and committing an illegal act reflecting adversely on his honesty or trustworthiness. The court imposes a one-year suspension from the practice of law, entirely stayed on the condition that Cochran commit no further misconduct.

Holdings

1. Cochran violated Prof.Cond.R. 3.3(a)(1) by making incomplete and misleading statements of material fact to the federal court and failing to provide complete information concerning his presence during a relevant conversation.
2. Cochran violated Prof.Cond.R. 8.4(b) by committing an illegal act that reflected adversely on his honesty or trustworthiness.
3. A one-year suspension from the practice of law, stayed in its entirety on the condition that Cochran commit no further misconduct, was the appropriate sanction; if he violates the condition, the stay will be lifted and he will serve the full suspension.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Cochran's incomplete and misleading statements during his federal criminal trial violated Prof.Cond.R. 3.3(a)(1).
2. Whether Cochran's federal offense constituted an illegal act reflecting adversely on his honesty or trustworthiness in violation of Prof.Cond.R. 8.4(b).
3. What professional-discipline sanction was appropriate in light of the misconduct, aggravating and mitigating factors, and comparable precedent.

Disposition

other